new car decision, help!

Well lets call it a new to me car. It's still a couple years out, because I love my old corolla. but I'm starting out now because I want to do all the research and make the right decision.

The criteria are that it must be able to seat four adults comfortably, must have a manual transmission, if a four cyl must be forced induction, alternatively six or eight cylinder is fine too. Im tired of owning cars that have 125 bhp or less. also must be able to last at least 8 years as a daily driver after I buy it. cost must be 10,000 or less.

that being said I have been looking at the mazdaspeed 6, the altima se-r but both are currently more than 10 grand.

what I'm in love with is the BMW 635 Csi. but the last one in my price range was built in 1989 and Im afraid thats going to be hard to get to last as a daily driver without paying out the wazzoo for repairs. thoughts on that one?

incidentally I would prefer a car with performance potential. That may be obvious from the post.

Are there any cars I'm missing out there that would meet this potential? I also like the TSX but its not boosted even though it has good numbers. I have considered the mustang also, but not the camaro/firebird, I have owned all three makes in the past and I've had stuff just fall off my GM products. any thoughts on this topic appreciated

I fear you would not like a honda fit then.....

Pontiac GTO's from '04 may be under $10K in under two years, they are already at 12K for nice ones. 350HP/390TQ, 6-Speed T56 manual, Australian designed and built, seats four BIG guys with no problems. The trunk is small unless you rip out the factory subwoofer. Not your typical GM at all.

Lincoln LS could be your pinch hitter right now. The V6/5-Speed is a rear beast, but well worth seeking out. Inspired chassis, excellent engine, and an attractive if unassuming package.

Not at least until they come out with a turbo kit for it and I can find the whole enchilada under 10K

GTO's I have considered too. yes, when they drop to around 10k for a decent example that will be a good option. as well as the LS. thank God for the internet. theres a total of two on autotrader.com. Rare indeed!

The old BMW 6-series had a rear seat, but I'd be hard-pressed to call it big enough for adults.

I still think cars for four adults should have four doors. Any of the 5-series cars strike your fancy? Sedans can rock it, when you put enough parts & work on it..

Yeah I love the older 5 series, I have no problem with four doors at all. I have considered them but then I just think the 6 series looks like a rocket ship.

As a matter of fact I found a 733i on a local walmart parking lot which is what got me thinking about BMW's in the first place. It was a stick shift. Too bad Im not in the market today.

That being said, do you all see any issues with buying a 25 year old BMW as a daily driver?

A 635csi could be a reasonable choice, depending on how much work you can do on the car yourself. $10k should get you a nice one. Mechanically they're very durable (and essentially identical to a 5 series of the same year), it's nothing for them to go 250,000 miles or more with proper care. Mechanical parts are still pretty available and for the most part the things that wear (brakes, bushings, etc.) are not that expensive. They aren't terribly prone to rust but it is a concern for northern cars. A worn interior will be expensive to fix. They were a pretty fast car in their day, but US spec cars only had around 180-200hp depending on the year; a modern minivan will smoke them in a drag race.

edit: my daily driver is an '86 5 series with 193k miles on it.

edit x2: Here's a pretty nice looking one in Arizona for $7900: http://bigcoupe.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=9787

stuart in mn wrote: A 635csi could be a reasonable choice, depending on how much work you can do on the car yourself. $10k should get you a nice one. Mechanically they're very durable (and essentially identical to a 5 series of the same year), it's nothing for them to go 250,000 miles or more with proper care. Mechanical parts are still pretty available and for the most part the things that wear (brakes, bushings, etc.) are not that expensive. They aren't terribly prone to rust but it is a concern for northern cars. A worn interior will be expensive to fix. They were a pretty fast car in their day, but US spec cars only had around 180-200hp depending on the year; a modern minivan will smoke them in a drag race. edit: my daily driver is an '86 5 series with 193k miles on it.

Do you deal crack on the side, or is it just in BMW's? talk about telling me what I want to hear. LOL. I considered an M6 but dang they are waaaay too much money. I've seen 40k mile cherry 635's for 10 grand. wanted to make sure I wasn't just looking at a money pit for a daily driver. I guess that clears that up.

The one big thing I was worried about was availability of mechanical parts since mfgr's are only required to produce them up to 10 years after a model goes out of production. so thats good to know.

Thanks

gunner wrote: Yeah I love the older 5 series, I have no problem with four doors at all. I have considered them but then I just think the 6 series looks like a rocket ship. As a matter of fact I found a 733i on a local walmart parking lot which is what got me thinking about BMW's in the first place. It was a stick shift. Too bad Im not in the market today. That being said, do you all see any issues with buying a 25 year old BMW as a daily driver?

The things I remember about my BMWs were that they never stranded me, but they would nickel & dime me to death trying to keep them "perfect". Seems they always needed new heatshields (rattles) or another alignment, and I'll bet I've spent enough on the rubber exhaust hangers to buy an old Civic.

If you're talking about an E23, I really think something like that is just too old to DD, if your commute is more than 10mi or so. OTOH, by now, they ought to be cheap enough that you can put some money into making it reliable.

thats info I'm looking for. I was afraid that might be the case with a luxury car but I'm hoping there may be grassroots alternatives??

But thats why I'm asking

If you like the old 5s, look at the E34s. They'll be a bit newer (1989-1995, IIRC) and they are at the bottom of their depreciation curve right now. 10k will buy you a nice one with some left over for the inevitable.

02Pilot wrote: If you like the old 5s, look at the E34s. They'll be a bit newer (1989-1995, IIRC) and they are at the bottom of their depreciation curve right now. 10k will buy you a nice one with some left over for the inevitable.

x52,394,857

That's actually what I was thinking of when I mentioned the 5-Series in the first place.

gunner wrote: The one big thing I was worried about was availability of mechanical parts since mfgr's are only required to produce them up to 10 years after a model goes out of production. so thats good to know. Thanks

BMW can and does supply parts all the way back to the 2002. They do not strand owners of older models with the 10 year cut off. BMW is proud of their heritage and seems to like seeing their older cars still on the road and does what it can to ensure that

Sounds like a VW Golf with the 1.8t (boosted with a chip to 180hp) is right up your alley.

I seem to see E39s with the V8 and manual transmissions for under $10k a lot on CL. But for the money you can find either of the first two generations of the M3. E36 M3

540 auto

E30 M3

Infiniti Q45?

Three P71's?

2003-2004 Mustang GT?

2 years from now..... turbo 4 Genesis Coupe? SX4 wit hthe RRM Turbo kit?

A friend just bought a very nice looking 1997 528i in white. The exterior looks great, except for a bit of condensation inside the headlights. The interior has some scuffs and creases, but could be brought back. 130,000 miles, $6,000. This car has 17" (sport?) basketweave wheels but no sport suspension. He had lots of choices in this price range, these cars are not rare.

I think this car in a manual sport package would meet all your requirements.

08 Rabbit (hey its a 5 cylinder): http://milwaukee.craigslist.org/ctd/1345847611.html

00 Turbo Vr6 GTI: http://milwaukee.craigslist.org/cto/1307285196.html

2000 540i 6 speed

<--- Misses his E39 540i 6 speed.